It isn’t long until the final Triple Crown of the season, as the Belmont Stakes takes place on June 5th. It will be one of the most interesting races of the season in the United States, with a number of intriguing selections at the top of the betting.
Only one previous winner of a Triple Crown race will line up for the final race, but will Rombauer be able to claim a second success?
Rombauer
Rombauer will be a horse that many will be expecting big things from in the Belmont Stakes after winning the Preakness Stakes on his last run.
It was an excellent performance on his last appearance, and if he is able to take to the ground at Belmont Park, then he could be set for a second straight victory.
But, his form before his victory at Pimlico was not what you would have expected from a Triple Crown winner, as he finished third in the Blue Grass Stakes.
Essential Quality
Essential Quality has already beaten Rombauer on two occasions in the past year. The first of those victories came at the Breeders’ Cup, before he finished five and three-quarter lengths clear of the Preakness winner in the Blue Grass Stakes.
This three-year-old will likely be the favorite for the Belmont Stakes, despite having suffered his first defeat on track in his last run at the Kentucky Derby. There is no denying that the Brad Cox-trained horse remains a prominent player, but it will be fascinating to see how he responds after the first setback in his career.
Hot Rod Charlie
Hot Rod Charlie was well supported in the Kentucky Derby, and ran on well to finish in third. He was a length behind Medina Spirit, but could yet be upgraded to second depending on how the second test for the winner returns.
The three-year-old is constantly consistent in the big Graded races that he runs, and was finally able to get a first graded success in the Louisiana Derby in the build-up to the Kentucky Derby.
Despite finishing third in the Kentucky Derby, it was the first time that he had finished ahead of Essential Quality, as he was beaten by the Cox-trained horse at the Breeders’ Cup last year. He is certainly one that will be a popular pick once again at Belmont Park.
Rock Your World
There will still be support for Rock Your World in the Belmont Stakes, despite a disappointing run in the Kentucky Derby last time out. He finished 25 lengths behind the winner of the opening Triple Crown race, which shattered his unbeaten record.
John Sadler still has high hopes for the three-year-old, but his performance this weekend could be pivotal in the decision making process regarding whether he will continue to run on dirt or return to the turf. Before the Kentucky Derby, he had won twice on dirt, which included success in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby.
Known Agenda
Known Agenda is another horse that will be lining up for the Belmont Stakes after finishing over ten lengths behind Medina Spirit. Connections would have taken pride from his finish to the race, as he got up to finish in ninth. He still has strong form behind him coming into the Belmont Stakes, as he has won two from four starts this season.
Known Agenda won an allowance race at Gulfstream Park, before getting his first graded win on the board in the Grade 1 Curlin Florida Derby. He achieved that success by finishing two and three-quarter lengths clear of Soup and Sandwich at Gulfstream Park.
There you have it, the top 5 betting picks for next weekend’s race. Visit TwinSpires.com to learn more about the Belmont Stakes 2021.
